After weeks of op-ed pieces against our President, Id like to offer a dissenting viewpoint. I like and respect and consider Jack Bennett a friend, but disagree with him politically. I have no doubt that it will set off a series of tyrannical rants from the right, and thats okay. Im a liberal Christian, sixty-two year old female, Democrat and retired educator (in order of importance to me). For as long as I can remember my litmus test for those I vote for is based on a quote from the late Vice President Hubert Humphrey: The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick needy and the handicapped. For me, Barack Obamas life, career record and philosophy most reflects the values presented in the quote.

1. The children. Its no accident that teachers, like other union members, support Democratic candidates most of the time. Obama worked for children and schools as a state legislator in Illinois and continues to see the problems with standardized testing being used as the sole measure of a students achievement. Romney thinks class size is irrelevant to student success. There are studies that go both ways on that one, but ask almost any teacher. Obama is willing to listen to students, parents and teachers. I dont get that from Romney.

2. The aged, sick, needy, handicapped. Ill lump these together because too often being old and being sick go together. Medicare and Social Security are so important to many of our seniors and the historical record shows that the Democrats have been the ones to protect it. Organizations for retirees agree. Ryan, Bush, Santorum and other members of the GOP were determined to privatize social security and throw that money on the stock market. With health care, we are just about the only modern nation that doesnt provide quality health care to all its citizens. Obama care isnt perfect yet it is so much like Romney care from Massachusetts! At least weve taken the first steps. The American Council of Churches, AARP and many other groups support these efforts. All these programs can be saved and reformed if members of Congress stop worrying about re-election and try to work together.

3.To Humphreys list of who government should look out for I would add some others: Pets-It may be silly, but I would never carry my beloved dog on the roof of my car. Victims of bullying-as a teacher you try to curb this, but can only do so much. It may be reaching, but I dont like people who prey on or in Mitts case beat up on weaker individuals. Veterans-Obama has worked to get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan and increase benefits for veterans. I understand Romney got several deferments and along with mission work, studied French in Paris during the Vietnam War. Women and racial minorities-I try to respect all religions and have no idea what hell do, but a cursory glance at the history of Mormonism or Church of Latter Day Saints raises all kinds of concerns about racism and empowerment of women. Victims of incest and rape- Paul Ryan(who would be a heart beat from the presidency) opposes abortion even when the mother is the victim of incest and rape. That to me should be a very personal decision. Mitt was once pro choice, pro gay and pro gun control. He claims hes done a big turn, so I dont really know where he stands on many social issues. In the area of civil rights and human rights, Obama wins hands down in my humble opinion. Conservatives claim they dont want government interference but then try to get the government to tell women and gays what they can and cannot do.

4. His persona. Obama is a likeable guy that I can relate to. He seems like a good husband and dad who really cares about people. He wasnt born wealthy. He and Michelle had student loans and he drove around in old clunker cars even when he was in the Illinois legislature. He lived in crummy apartments and lived paycheck to paycheck. He could have made big bucks in the private sector, but chose teaching and service. I respect that. Hes patriotic but doesnt think every war is equally just. I can connect with him. Like his granddad, my dad went out and signed up to serve and defend our country the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. Hes a Constitutional Scholar who understands the need for limits to our rights. He doesnt want to take away anyones guns but questions whether private citizens need automatic rifles. I find the Republican mayor of NYC much more outspoken on gun control. I also like that he is of mixed race and has lived and experienced other cultures. He sees the shades of grey (nothing to do with those novels!) when it comes to global issues like the Middle East and global warming.

5. His record. General Motors is Alive and Bin Laden is Dead. Great bumper sticker and true. NASA is privatized, credit card companies are more honest and the economy is coming back. I think we were on the verge of a major depression in 2008. Romneys policies sound scarily like those of George W. We cant blame the man for all thats wrong with the world. Gas prices reflect oil company greed (he did make BP clean up the Gulf) more than presidential policy. There are several sites that list accomplishments of his first administration. Check them out.

Its clearly going to be a close election. I have tried to warm up to Romney and just havent been able to sense that he gives a darn about my demographic or the demographics that I care about. I fear what blunders hell make across the pond. I dont think he can inspire us or bring us together as a nation. He was strongly disliked during his one term governorship. I could say lots more and should include footnotes, but space is always at a premium. If this gets printed, I sincerely thank the KP for its independence.

To compound your apt comments about this vile creature, being a liberal and Christian is simply not possible. Although not all Conservatives are necessarily Christian, all true Christians are Conservative by definition. The intersection of liberals and Christians forms the null set.

17
posted on 08/28/2012 8:44:08 PM PDT
by re_nortex
(DP...that's what I like about Texas.)

The obvious sign that this is complete BS can be found in #1 with this phrase: "Obama worked"

Baraq Obama is the laziest person ever to step foot in the White House. He did nothing as a community organizer. He did nothing at the Harvard Law Review. He did nothing as a college lecturer. He did nothing as a state legislator. He did nothing as a US Senator. And he has done nothing as President.

Even today (after a 3-day weekend), his only act as President was to give a statement about the hurricane, and in that statement, he basically told everyone to do what their local officials tell them to do. In other words, don't look to the White House for leadership. No one will be there.

20
posted on 08/28/2012 8:46:55 PM PDT
by Hoodat
("As for God, His way is perfect" - Psalm 18:30)

Wow. Someone who reveres Hubert Humphrey. Thats all I need to know about their qualifications.

Amen FRiend. Since I'm 70, I well recall the despicable Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Jr. He was a big supporter of Franklin Diablo Roosevelt's various "deals" and fully embraced the leftism of upper-Midwest populists. That alone puts HHH in the camp of Marxists. And, just as bad, he was a big defender of union thugs. I have no doubt that Hubie Humphrey and Teddy Kennedy are in close quarters...for all of eternity.

28
posted on 08/28/2012 8:58:47 PM PDT
by re_nortex
(DP...that's what I like about Texas.)

The idiot writing the editorial blew it before she even got started. By saying, "For me, Barack Obamas life, career record and philosophy most reflects the values presented in the quote" she showed herself to be a fool.

Obama has none of the compassion or values in the HH quote. Everything he does is politically motivated and crafted for one reason only; to get reelected so he can carry on his mission of deconstructing America. He does not care for people - he uses people.

29
posted on 08/28/2012 8:58:49 PM PDT
by Baynative
(A man's admiration for absolute government is proportionate to the contempt he feels for others)

Zer0 is for the children? Seems like children for Zer0 are for the purposes of indoctrination to the doctrine of collectivism. Such a doctrine has its roots in Marxism. Do we want that for our children?

2ndDivisionVet said: "IIRC, Vice President Humphrey was as strong as the Founding Fathers on RKBA ..."

"Certainly one of the chief guarantees of freedom under any government, no matter how popular and respected, is the right of citizens to keep and bear arms...The right of citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard, against the tyranny which now appears remote in America but which historically has proven to be always possible." - HUBERT H. HUMPHREY

I’M SURE IF YOU HAD A DOG WITH A BOWEL PROBLEM,YOU WOULD PUT HIS CRATE ON TOP.
I HAD A 3# DOG DEVELOPING A PROBLEM(IN THE CAR)AS I DROVE THROUGH OKLAHOMA AND COULD NOT STOP UNTIL I GOT TO ILLINOIS.
I WOULDN’T WISH THIS PROBLEM ON ANYONE.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN OBAMA IN A CAR WITH HIS DOG.
I HAVE HEARD HE HAS EATEN DOG.

Where could one even begin to comment on such an uninformed commentary?

Let's just try one. "He's (Obama) a Constitutional Scholar who understands the need for limits to our rights."

No, Saundra, there is no information to document any factual reason to believe he is a Constitutional Scholar. As an "educator," where is your source for that? He was employed as a "lecturer" on limited subjects related to the Constitution at the U of C. His time as Editor of the Harvard Law Review produced no writings which would indicate any "scholar" status. By his own statements, he believes ours is a "flawed" Constitution and "a document of negative liberties."

By the same token, renowned jurists from America and across the world have declared it to be, among other glowing descriptions, "the most wonderful document ever produced" by the mind of man.

And, by the way, Saundra, the American Constitution, according to its Framers and those who explained it to the States, is a document which limits the rights "We, the People" grant to our representatives in government.It is not a document by which the government limits our rights.

So much for his understanding of the Constitution--an yours, apparently.

"...For as long as I can remember my litmus test for those I vote for is based on a quote from the late Vice President Hubert Humphrey: The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick needy and the handicapped..."

Well. Well, well. I have often said that liberals engage in Orwellian doublethink, and that the cognitive dissonance that has to cause in them is a a source of their, er...mental illness, but...this has to take the cake.

I saw this part: "...The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life..."

Who is more in the "dawn of life" than an unborn child?

And I most DEFINITELY don't need to go into cutting $700 million from Medicare to apply to Obamacare, which is going to deny that money to many people who don't meet the "comparative effectiveness" guidelines.

Unbelievable.

Just...wow.

39
posted on 08/28/2012 9:11:07 PM PDT
by rlmorel
("It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong." Voltaire)

"The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick needy and the handicapped.

Well, there's your problem right there. Turns out you're an idiot. The moral test of a government is how little it interferes with the sacred freedom of mankind.

Obama bin Braggin that Osama bin Laden done bin killed by the seals then Osama sent wadin.
Then Obama bin fishin for votes and for funds, hard work makin our nation be completely undone.
Too bad for Osama he did not simply think to run to be president, our ship then to sink.

It’s weird about Obama and his lack of compassion and total lack of emotion. I have seen every president and some vps and congressmen tear up , never Obama. Nothing makes him tear up at anything. He’s the most arrogant,cold sob ever to inhabit the Oval Office.

I can only think of one reason to vote for Obama...because I want to have to accept responsibility for what he's done!!!

If Romney gets elected and everything goes to Hell in November, by the time Romney takes over next year, we'll be in such a state of decline that no one will be able to do anything about it at that point.

The Democrats with their dishonest enablers in the media will blame Romney and Republicans for the mess that the Dems created and history will record the Republicans as the party that took down America and I want the Democrats to be the ones to take fall.

That's the ONLY good reason to vote for Obama.

Obama is like a two year old, he takes credit for the achievement of others and blames everyone and their dog for his failures.

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